One dog-friendly Mendocino drive: Highway 128

Start your road trip at Cloverdale, turning off Highway 101 and heading west on Highway 128. This scenic route offers up many delights, including the Boonville General Store in southern Mendocino County.   Read more.

A hotel for every budget

Vacaville is a convenient wine country gateway that’s also a short drive from both San Francisco and Sacramento. You’ll find some of the most reasonably priced accommodations around. Vacaville hotels and motels can cost up to 50% less than those in nearby wine destinations, and there are hospitality experiences to suit every travel budget. Check into centrally located properties like H  Read more.

Your home base for fun

Tucked conveniently close to towering redwoods and coastal adventures, Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley is a welcoming favorite among four-legged guests and the humans who follow. From here, it’s a short trip to the Roaring Camp Railroads, where you can ride the rails with your pooch. Or, head over to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and West Glenwood Open Space Preserve for   Read more.

The Stanford Inn – authentically eco-minded

A 2022 report from Expedia Group explores the brand principles that travelers value: a commitment to sustainability, small crowds, local businesses and mental well-being top that list.  Read more.

Beach House Inn, tranquility with a view

Half a mile south, on the pretty Pudding Creek Estuary, Beach House Inn places you a stone’s throw from local beaches and charming downtown Fort Bragg.  Read more.

The Beachcomber Motel, a true blufftop gem

Tucked above Pudding Creek Beach on a scenic stretch of California’s North Coast, the Beachcomber Motel is a true blufftop gem.  Read more.

Where to stay in Concord

The Concord Perro Trail guide spotlights five pup-friendly properties, all close and convenient to adventures in Concord and the surrounding area. (Please be sure to confirm any weight and breed restrictions or pet fees before you book.) Settle in for a stay at the Hilton Concord, which offers an outdoor pool and Mount Diablo views.   Read more.

Maiya’s stay in Ruthie’s cabin at Nick’s Cove

I wanted to share a pic of our Lab Maiya at Ruthie's Cabin at Nick's Cove.  Read more.

Summer soars in Yosemite at Tenaya Lodge

Photo by Tenaya at Yosemite.

Located just two miles from Yosemite National Park, dog-friendly Tenaya Lodge specializes in memorable summer moments for the entire family.  Read more.

Tenaya Lodge with the kids – summer

Not surprisingly, a place as big as Yosemite is home to plenty of outdoor and indoor activities for children of all ages. Of course, there’s the seemingly-endless natural beauty waiting in Yosemite Valley. As just one example, Glacier Point offers outstanding stargazing.  Read more.

Treat your pup to a Yosemite vacation

Maya enjoying the Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Feeling a little spring fever? Now is the perfect time to plan a getaway with your furry friend. The Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge are designed for pet-lovers, making dog travel a breeze. These modern, two-bedroom cabins are tucked on 27 wooded acres—perfect for adventuring with two- and four-legged family members—and they’re just minutes from the main lodge and more resort ame  Read more.

Water view dog-friendly cottages and tables

Nick’s Cove Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Cottages is a dog-friendly, boutique resort on Tomales Bay in Marin County.  Read more.

Paws up for these dog-friendly hotels

If you’re like many visitors, you want to stay in a central location just a short jaunt from the attractions on your “must experience” list. Fortunately, central Sacramento is chock-full of dog-welcoming choices.  Read more.

Playtime with your pup in the East Bay’s big back yard

Yes, San Francisco traffic congestion can be a turnoff, but head to the East Bay and you’ll be amazed by all the open-to-the-public lands at your disposal – not to mention dozens of boutique wineries and, in spring, emerald-green, oak-dotted hills that beckon as invitingly to dogs as to their people. Here are some of our favorite destinations in the dog-friendly East Bay: Stay and p  Read more.

Stay and play in Vacaville

Sure, you could drive home after a day of hiking or just romping with your dog the fabulous, 3,000-acre fenced canine playground at Lagoon Valley/Pena Adobe Park or the newer Centennial Park. But you could also put paws to pillow a comfy spot like Vacaville’s centrally located Hyatt Place or Residence Inn by Marriott. They’re among nine dog-friendly lodgings in this valley town just mi  Read more.

Conquer Concord with your pup

Looking for a new, not-faraway place to explore with your dog for a day or a weekend? Think Concord— and bring your appetite and your hiking shoes. You’ll need them both in this East Bay city at the foot of iconic Mount Diablo. Settle in for a night or two at the dog-friendly Hilton Concord for a great time.  Read more.

Snow dogs! Where to ruff it up in the white stuff

Those of us who live in California have to pinch ourselves in thanks for proximity to gorgeous mountain environments just day-trip distance away. Even if you don’t live in a snow zone, it’s easy enough to visit—and no need to leave your four-legged sidekick behind. Here are some of our favorite places and tips for a fun snow trip with your dog: And Sno It Goes Tahoe Snow  Read more.

Tahoe snow play & stay: Dog-friendly hotels in Lake Tahoe

There are so many dog-friendly lodgings at Lake Tahoe that we can’t begin to inventory them all, but we can certainly point out a few favorites, as well as places to go and things to do with dogs in winter.   Read more.

Mammoth Lakes winter woof

It’s a beautiful drive whether coming from north or south on Highway 395, the Eastern Sierra byway that rivals (if not exceeds) the more famous coastal Highway 1 in terms of scenery. The year-round resort area centered around the Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain ski areas welcomes winter DogTrekkers with dozens of dog-friendly places to stay and endless wild open spaces to explore.  Read more.

Enjoy the great outdoors in Greater Palm Springs

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to travel more (with your four-legged best friend in tow), then start planning a getaway to Greater Palm Springs. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually, this Southern California oasis offers a blissful, sun-kissed escape during the winter months, and you’ll find ample opportunities to get outside, enjoy the mild weather and soak up some rays.  Read more.

Cozy winter lodging in Yosemite

Tenaya Lodge in winter. Photo by Tenaya at Yosemite.

This winter, treat yourself to a family and dog-friendly California experience that lets everyone feel like a kid again. Offering mountain adventures, family fun, unforgettable dining and spa options, and evening conversations around the cozy fireplace, Tenaya Lodge makes seasonal getaways seamless.    Read more.

Winter in Yosemite, the Tenaya Lodge way

Winter officially begins on December 21, but you wouldn’t know it by the snowflakes piling up throughout the Yosemite region. This beautiful region is home to a DogTrekker favorite, Tenaya Lodge.  Read more.

Tenaya Lodge with the dog

If you're planning to visit Yosemite Park, including Badger Pass and other areas in the park that have restrictions on dogs, you have the option of reserving a limited spot at Tenaya Lodge’s indoor dog kennel.  Read more.

Tenaya Lodge for couples

After spending an active day skiing, snowboarding, exploring Badger Pass on a guided cross-country tour, or snowshoeing near Tenaya Lodge, you’ll be ready to relax at the Ascent Spa at Tenaya Lodge.  Read more.

Tenaya Lodge with the kids

Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area is set to open this weekend, and you’ll find plenty of outdoor and indoor activities for children of all ages. Embark on downhill skiing and snowboarding adventures (or set beginners up with some lessons!), slide down the rugged hills by snow tube, or explore the scenery on snowshoes.  Read more.

Fall into Mendocino County

Photo by Mendocino Grove.

California travelers know fall is the ripe time to pack the hiking boots for an adventure in Northern California’s Mendocino County.  Read more.

Mendocino: more than a day trip

Mendocino sunset. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Mendocino County is a DogTrekker favorite for so many reasons. That is why we have partnered with so many hotels, inns, resorts, cabins and glamping properties over the years. You will find accommodations to fit any taste and budget. The Stanford Inn by the Sea, Little River Inn, Noyo Harbor Inn, Sheep Dung Cottages, Baechtel Creek Inn, Beachcomber Properties and Mendocino Grove luxury camping are  Read more.

Raise a glass to the dog-friendly Delta

Just 15 miles south of downtown Sacramento, the Clarksburg American Viticultural Area offers all kind of dog-friendly, small-batch wine-tasting experiences.  Read more.

Tail-waggin’ fun in Folsom and surrounding areas

Just up Highway 50 from Sacramento, the city of Folsom is a superb dog-friendly destination with a handsomely renovated Old Town just a block or two from the Sacramento River. Cuddle up in dog-friendly lodging and spend a weekend exploring with your four-legged friend.  Read more.

Capital canine discoveries

If it’s your first visit to Sacto, don’t neglect to take a stroll through Capitol Park, a 40-acre urban preserve surrounding the imposing domed structure.  Read more.

Leave no dog behind when visiting Yosemite

Think about it this way. You’re with your dog just about every day. Do you really want to be apart from them on vacation? At Tenaya Lodge, you don’t have to leave a friend behind. Here, friendship travels.   Explore our yard today. You can learn more about Tenaya Lodge’s cool, dog-friendly accommodations and offerings at TenayaLodge.com.  Read more.

Headed for Yosemite? You lucky dog!

Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabin.

In Yosemite, you’ll embark on a getaway you and your little buddy will never forget. Together, you can explore the wonders of the Sierra region at a full-service resort that offers 75 acres of outdoor recreation and accommodations.  Read more.

High altitude amenities

Just two miles from the park, Tenaya Lodge is set among 50 acres of Sierra National Forest. It is a dog-friendly resort.  Read more.

A pedigreed playground for your pup

Maya hiking at Noyo Headlands Park. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

The active Noyo Harbor fishing village sets an engaging backdrop for a Noyo Harbor Inn stay.  Read more.

Dog-friendly rooms with a view

Photo by Brendan McGuigan.

Almost half of the Noyo Harbor Inn’s 15 spacious rooms accommodate pups. Choose from king and queen options with soaking tubs, fireplaces and decks—plus views of gardens  Read more.

Best in show: dog-friendly Noyo Harbor Inn

Photo by Brendan McGuigan.

Welcome to Fort Bragg, where dog-friendly rooms at the Noyo Harbor Inn overlook the tree-lined Noyo River. The inn features waterfront patio dining, spa services and authentic Craftsman details dating back more than a century.  Read more.

Dog-friendly cottages and tables with a view

Photo by Nick’s Cove Restaurant & Oyster Bar.

Take a national seashore, cross it with some intriguing history, add luxury cottages, an oyster bar and restaurant.  Read more.

The best dog-friendly cabins and cottages for your summer and fall trips

Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabin.

Yikes, can it be mid-summer already? Road trips are all the rage and travelers are on the move with their pups. The top lodging choice for DogTrekkers this year are cabins and cottages. Here are some of our favorites. Yosemite: Tehaya at Yosemite Explorer Cabins Tomales Bay, Marshall, Point Reyes Mendocino Coast: Little River Inn Cottages  Read more.

Yo! Yosemite calls you and your dog

Photo by Tenaya at Yosemite.

Yosemite is now open, as are the 50 new two-bedroom Tehaya at Yosemite Explorer Cabins that opened in 2019. Tenaya Lodge, a luxury establishment in Fish Camp, just two miles outside the park’s southern (Wawona, Highway 41) entrance, has long been a DogTrekker favorite. The dog-friendly Explorer Cabins are scattered over 27 forested acres walking distance from Tenaya Lodge, Jackalopes Bar &am  Read more.

Stay and play in Concord

Concord is a convenient, one-tank trip from several Bay Area, Sonoma and Napa communities. Visit the new Concord Visitor Center for travel inspiration, hike scenic regional parks with your pup, or follow the Concord Taco Trail that features nearly 40 local taquerias and restaurants. Then, overnight at one of Concord’s dog-friendly hotels.  Read more.

Walking trails and waggin’ tails near the Stanford Inn

Stanford Inn Wellness Programs Director Sid Garza-Hillman oversees experiences that help resort guests recharge, revive and restore their health.  Read more.

Rest and recharge in coastal Mendocino at the Stanford Inn!

Tucked between old-growth trees and USDA-certified organic gardens, this dog-friendly destination weaves wellness, relaxation and only-in-California recreation into each stay.  Read more.

Wellness by the sea at the Stanford Inn

While many spa and wellness resorts push guests toward fixed goals, the Stanford Inn by the Sea breaks healthy living into manageable, easy-to-integrate steps.  Read more.

Activities for every family member at the Stanford Inn

Photo by Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too.

With a blufftop location above sparkling Mendocino Bay, the Stanford Inn by the Sea is a convenient home base for adventurers of all ages.  Read more.

Favorite California campgrounds for dog lovers

New discoveries are nice, but so are places to which you and your four-legged buddy return time after time. Here are a few of our paw-tested California campgrounds for dogs.  Read more.

First-time dog camper? Make a list, check it twice

Packing for a camping trip with your pooch is pretty much the same as for any other road trip, but there are a few extras to consider. California leash laws allow leashed dogs in campsites, but don’t take a chance by letting your pup wander around loose. Think ahead about how you will keep her confined within the boundaries of your space. A leash around a picnic table leg will work, but you d  Read more.

There are many ways to camp

Let’s say you’re into roughing it a bit —tent camping, say, but your significant other doesn’t like to sleep on the ground and your four-legged companion would likewise be more comfortable on a dog bed than in the dirt. Well, DogTrekkers, you have choices. Many, many choices.   In the past decade, dozens of “glamping” options have sprung up around the sta  Read more.

Bark at the bots, but don’t give up

It’s usually difficult to snag a reservation at popular lakeside, state and national parks at this point in the year. Many can take repeated attempts to score. This year, however, even that strategy might not work. Why? Because technology has entered the picture.   Do a Google search for  “bots stealing campsites” and you’ll come across dozens of articles decryi  Read more.

Dog-friendly road trip: Highway 140 to Yosemite National Park

Spring is the perfect time to visit Yosemite National Park with your pup, as temperatures are on the rise, waterfalls are gushing and wildflowers are starting to bloom.   Read more.

Unrivaled Yosemite hotel is barking for you to visit

The English proverb ‘let sleeping dogs lie” might have been the right advice back in the 13th century, but certainly doesn’t apply when your pup wakes up in a beautifully appointed room at Yosemite’s Tenaya Lodge or in the privacy of one of 50 two-bedroom dog-friendly Explorer Cabins, surrounded by wide open spaces.  Read more.

Dog-friendly hotels, camping & more

You’ll find dog-lovers and dog-friendly Yosemite lodging options throughout the region. To review them all, visit the lodging page on Yosemite.com, choose the general type of accommodation you prefer – hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, cabin rentals or camping. Then use the Advanced Filter to show pet-friendly options inside and outside of the park. You can also use the feature to  Read more.

Dog-friendly road trip: Highway 128, Mendocino County

Leaving Highway 101 at Cloverdale (Sonoma county), and heading on CA-128 West, this scenic road offers up many delights, from the Boonville General Store (think deli goodies from pizza to soups and sandwiches) in southern Mendocino County, to Leggett, on the Eel River in the north. In between? Let us count just a few of the ways along this 55-mile stretch of road to make your DogTrekking trip memo  Read more.

Dog-friendly road trip north: The compass points toward Redding

Heading north out of Sacramento on Interstate 5, the goal is to base camp in Redding, the Shasta Cascade's largest city. One of the top sights includes the iconic Sundial Bridge, spanning the Sacramento River. It bisects a paved, 16-mile, dog-friendly trail that eventually leads to Shasta Dam. Redding prides itself as “California’s Trail Capital,” with 225 miles of trails wit  Read more.

Time out (with oysters) by the sea

Photo by Nick’s Cove Restaurant & Oyster Bar.

It’s oyster season! And it’s hard to imagine a more ideal place to enjoy a delectable dozen than at Nick’s Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar.  Read more.

Dog, you’ve earned a Yosemite vacation!

Crispy fall weather and light crowds are in effect throughout Mariposa County during Autumn, making this a great time to take the family (including the four-legged members) on vacation.  Read more.

You, your dog and Yosemite: Pet-friendly Tenaya Lodge

If you enjoy adventuring with your dog and have always wanted to experience Yosemite National Park, then Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is for you.  Read more.

Cuddle up with your pup in Mendocino county

Little River Inn, Mendocino.

Mendocino County isn’t day-trip distance from any metropolitan area, which, for DogTrekkers, means you’ll want to cuddle up with your pup at a dog-friendly lodging establishment.  Read more.

Forest bathing with Fido, anyone?

The practice of “forest bathing,” or “shinrin-yoku,” popularized in the USA by a string of books including best-seller “Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness” by Japanese immunologist Quing Li, has taken off in Mendocino County. And there’s no better place to indulge in the practice of absorbing oneself in a forest atmosphere then here, where dog-friendly o  Read more.

Leave no dog behind

One simple mission has always guided DogTrekker’s work: Leave no dog behind, whether you’re on vacation or at a shelter.  Read more.

Go north to find dog-friendly cottages in Mendocino County

Little River Inn, Mendocino.

Visitors love Mendo for its mellow vibe, and it doesn’t get more mellow than at Little River Inn, a beloved getaway destination family-owned for five generations.  Read more.

Buckle up for big mountains, big fun at dog-friendly Mammoth

Dogs love to play in the Eastern Sierra. Photo by Visit Mammoth.

Yes, it can be a bit of a drive depending where you start out—but a beautiful one. Highway 395 skirting the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada deserves lots of pull-over time on the way to Mammoth Lakes  Read more.

Go for a gusher with your dog

There are many waterfalls within an easy drive of where you are staying in Redding. For a quick taste, visit Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir. It’s right off Interstate 5 via a short path, has a generous parking lot, a viewing platform for photo opps and a cave beneath the falls for sensory thrills (your dog may or may not want to go there, so be alert!)  Read more.

Redding family fare (dogs included of course!)

Sundial Bridge. Photo by Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Bringing the gang to Redding? Bunk down at a pet-friendly hotel like the Sheraton Redding Hotel at Sundial Bridge. It is on the Sacramento River, adjacent to trails and attractions and makes a great base camp for a family getaway (see other dog-friendly lodging options here).  Read more.

Tenaya Lodge – the Yosemite home for you and Fido

Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabin.

Yosemite – Mariposa County’s Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is the destination for you and your dog for a Yosemite adventure. When it comes to dog-friendliness, Tenaya takes the biscuit!  Read more.

Need-to-know dog-friendly digs

An outdoor oasis brimming with warmth and sunshine, Greater Palm Springs’ pet-loving culture ensures plenty of dog-friendly accommodations throughout the destination. From revitalized 1960s hot spots to full-service resorts frequently debuting cool new amenities, you’ll find any number of complimentary perks and play areas for you and your furry companion. As always, pet policies vary,  Read more.

Growling for Guerneville in Sonoma County

Sonoma County is one of the biggest pieces of real estate in California, and its treasures span a geographic landscape stretching from the Russian River Valley to coastal communities and beyond. Best bet for you and your tail-wagger, especially in winter: pick a region and settle in for a few days.  Read more.

Waves away with your dog on the Central Coast

From Santa Cruz County all the way down to Ventura, California’s Central Coast is a wave-washed mecca for DogTrekkers. You’ll find lots of choices for dog-friendly cabin and cottage lodging as well as tempting properties offered on airbnb.com, vrbo.com, homeaway.com and other home-sharing sites. Here are a few of our favorite retreats up and down this scenic slice of the state.  Read more.

Yosemite in winter: doglicious!

Forget all those reports you read about hour-long traffic backups to get into Yosemite National Park in summer. In winter, this iconic slice of the American West is an un-crowded paradise for you and your four-legged friend.  Read more.

Big dog-friendly opportunities at Big Bear

After a hike at Big Bear Lake. Photo by Tommy Lisbin.

Just as Lake Tahoe is a vacation magnet for NorCal residents, so Big Bear Lake, two hours from LA, is a major draw for South State residents. Sister ski areas Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Summit are family-friendly magnets for skiers and riders, but there are many snowy options for DogTrekkers, as well.  Read more.

Register early and save!

Several price points for Wild Blue camps are offered, depending on lodging choice. An early-bird special for those who make an initial deposit for the spring camp before March 1 knocks $150 off the registration price.  For the fall camp, the deadline is April 30. Refer a friend (or friends) and get a $100 bonus for each one.  Read more.

What it’s all about, Ralphie?

According to Wild Blue’s research, one in three dogs will get cancer, six million will be diagnosed in 2020 and most will die within a year.  Wild Blue’s need-based treatment program offers grants to people lacking the resources to pay for their pet’s cancer treatment.  Its fundraising activities include two week-long dog camps at Lake Tahoe plus “yappy hour&rdquo  Read more.

Vacaville: a dog-friendly base camp for new discoveries

Lagoon Valley Park, Vacaville.

There’s a lot more to Vacaville than meets the eye when whizzing past it on Interstate 80. Dog-friendly lodging abounds (take note: it’s lot less expensive than in nearby Napa or Sonoma), but perhaps one of Vacaville’s biggest assets is its central location as a basecamp.  Read more.

Wag tails for Oakland!

Yes, Oakland is a vibrant urban place to visit, but it’s not all about dog-friendly ale and wine trails, waterfront dining and hotels (more about that below). As dog-centric locals know, one of the pleasures of living here is proximity to many open-space preserves where you can flee the big-city hustle-bustle and revel with your pup in the shade of redwoods or atop grassy ridges with panoram  Read more.

Explorer cabins at Yosemite’s Tenaya Lodge

Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabin.

Whether you’re traveling with the whole family, including the pups, or just looking for a little additional privacy during your trip to Yosemite National Park, the new dog-friendly two-bedroom Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge are a perfect choice.  Read more.

Fall special at dog-friendly Stanford Inn

Maya inside at the Stanford Inn. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Autumn in Mendocino is one of the best-kept secrets by locals and there’s a good reason why. Beautiful days, cool nights and dog-friendly activities at your pup’s bark and call.  Read more.

The wellness quotient: Give yourself and your dog a break at Stanford Inn

Photo by Catch a Canoe and Bicycles Too, a Stanford Inn company.

Besides the vegan restaurant, the organic garden and the pet-friendly watercraft concessionaire on the property, Stanford Inn by the Sea is also Mendocino County’s  Read more.

Dog-passionate from the get-go

Stanford Inn by the Sea has been welcoming pets for almost 40 years—it was, in fact, one of the first B&Bs in California to do so. Innkeepers Joan and Jeff Stanford know that four-legged family members deserve care and attention, and they cater to canines accordingly. In pet-friendly guest rooms, water and food bowls are provided along with pick-up bags, house-made organic treats and covers   Read more.

Best Friends’ no kill Los Angeles 2019

When it comes to saving the lives of shelter animals, nobody can do it all. Which is why, when Best Friends Animal Society, long known for its rescue and sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, launched the No Kill Los Angeles initiative in 2013, it looked to build partnerships, collaborations, and community connections.  Read more.

End of summer coasting with your four-legged friend

Whew! Summer’s over, the crowds are gone, fall weather is on the way—and with it (usually) crystal-clear skies and views to go with. There’s no better time for a trip con canine along California’s gorgeous Central Coast. Start in Santa Cruz County, where the cottage-and-cabin options include the family-favorite Santa Cruz/Monterey KOA in Watsonville, just a few miles from t  Read more.

Little bit of magic in El Dorado County

DogTrekkers in the know point their paws in fall toward the Apple Hill Growers region north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County near Placerville, where more than 50 member farms open their gates to the public for an applepalooza of festivities centered around the orb-shaped fruit. This year, there’s something new: the Apple Hill Hard Cider Trail, which makes its formal debut Sept. 15 with six   Read more.

Say hello to summer on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore

Photo by Boris Pavlikovsky.

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer trips and vacations at Lake Tahoe. If you’ve been to Tahoe, you know the lake  Read more.

Orphan dog 2019

Looking for a puppy to be your constant companion? Here's little Charoli, who along with her five sibs is being cared for by Orphan Dog in Lake County.  Read more.

Vet Buzz: Oh no! my dog is limping!

By Dr. Sophie Liu, SF SPCA Resident in Behavior Medicine We’ve all seen it before. You’re out for your daily walk when, suddenly, your beloved pooch lifts her back leg and looks at you with wide brown eyes. Your dog is limping! What do you do? What could it be?  Read more.

Lake county dog-friendly campgrounds

Summers are made for camping, and Lake County has no shortage of dog-friendly campgrounds, both public and private, where you can pop a tent or pull up an RV for a few days of outdoor fun with your family, pup included. On the private campground side, you’ll find full hookups, tent sites, club rooms, motel-style lodging and lots of other amenities at waterfront resorts including The Narrows   Read more.

Around Clear Lake we go

Close to a dozen communities sit on or near the shores of Clear Lake. While it would take days to explore them all, we can suggest a few highlights in Lakeport, Kelseyville, Clearlake and Upper Lake. Start in Lakeport, on the lake’s northwest shore, travel counter-clockwise and make time for meals, wineries, brew pubs and other places you can enjoy with your canine companion.  Read more.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite opens Explorer Cabins

Explorer Cabin firepits. Photo by Tenaya at Yosemite.

DogTrekker.com’s co-founders, Roxanne and Dave Kendrick, and Director of Barketing™ Maya, a yellow Labrador retriever, were on hand June 27 for the ribbon cutting for 50 new dog-friendly Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge just outside Yosemite National Park.  Read more.

Mend your mind in Mendocino Village

Photo by @meganevaughn.

A mere five minutes from Little River, much-photographed Mendocino Village, with its wealth of lacy Victorians and colorful saltbox cottages, is loaded with places to enjoy with your four-legged friend. Our top pick is Stanford Inn by the Sea, just south of the village across Big River. Once you’ve explored the compact downtown, get your tails over to Mendocino Headlands State Park, which surrou  Read more.

River cruisin’ with your canine

Photo by Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too.

Many say that coastal Mendocino County is not so much a place as a state of mind. And for DogTrekkers, full immersion wouldn’t be complete without a dog-friendly paddle excursion along the serene Big River estuary.    Read more.

It’s splash time in Lake County!

Lake County is named for that big puddle of blue on the map, and there’s lots to wag tails about on its shores. But Clear Lake is hardly the only body of water in the vicinity. Blue Lakes (Upper and Lower), just five miles away, are a pair of clear, spring-fed bodies of water ideal for swimming and fishing. Only human-powered craft and electric motors are allowed (speed limit is 5 mph), but you   Read more.

Vet Buzz: Dog first aid kit

By Dr. Sophie Liu, SF SPCA Resident in Behavior Medicine Before you embark on your next adventure, take a moment to plan and assemble a first aid kit to protect your dog.  Read more.

How to reserve, and all about campground petiquette

You snooze, you lose when it comes to securing summertime campground reservation on the California coast or at popular vacation spots like Lake Tahoe. But there are strategies to finding a spot for Spot. Here’s our guide.  Read more.

Scenery rules at these dog-friendly campgrounds

Photo by Cristoph Wesi.

Three pet-friendly campgrounds at MacKerricher State Park, just three miles from Fort Bragg in Mendocino County, put you smack on the scenic coast within sight and sound of the sea.  Read more.

Airstreams, dog-friendly glamping and more

Dakota at Mendocino Grove. Photo by Jennifer Brierley.

Vintage travel-trailers, “glamping” tents and luxury yurts are part of an outdoorsy trend that is spreading all up and down California.     Read more.

Visit a close-in, dog-friendly campground

Photo by Igor Cibulsky.

Even if you’re an urban dweller, you don’t have to go far to snag a spot in the woods (although you might have trouble with reservations).  Read more.

Fort fun!

DogTrekker.com reader Karen N. sent in a few photos of her dogs at Fort Funston, San Francisco's off-leash dog haven. Karen writes, "In my opinion, the most beautiful place in San Francisco. Since the area is all off leash, your dog should be very well socialized and have excellent recall."  Read more.

Lots to do on dog-friendly Cannery Row

“Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.” So wrote John Steinbeck in his famous 1945 novel. “The Row” gets its name from a string of long-defunct sardine-canning factories, some of which have been converted into dog-friendly restaurants and hotels.  Read more.

Dog-friendly base camps in and around Redding

Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Redding is an easy, 2.5-hour drive up Interstate 5 from Sacramento, and in March and April you’ll absolutely relish the scenery.  Read more.

Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary

There Karli was, a cute little dog wandering the streets of Sacramento. Picked up as a stray. Unclaimed by anybody.  But then along came Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary.  Read more.

Snoozing and specials

In Greater Palm Springs, you’ll find plenty of options to accommodate your four-legged friend. At many hotels, expect to see your pooch pampered with a plethora of fantastic perks—from snuggly dog beds and signature pet menus to in-room massage and tantalizing munchies. And with the exception of the new Hotel Paseo, the historic properties below have been beautifully restored. You and   Read more.

Where to stay with your dog in Sacramento

From the downtown core to the farthest reaches of suburbia, Sacramento abounds with dog-friendly places to stay. If downtown is your chosen destination, the new Kimpton Sawyer might be just your ticket. It’s smack in the heart of the developing DoCo (Downtown Commons) district surrounding Golden 1 Center, offering out-the-door access to numerous restaurants with dog-friendly patios (plus lot  Read more.

Go retro in a dog-friendly airstream trailer

Photo by Hotel Paseo.

Retro is all the rage these days, and what could be more mid-century stylish than an overnight stay in one of those sleek aluminum Airstream trailers updated for today’s DogTrekkers?  Read more.

In GPS, five pet-friendly hotels are raising the bar

A winter visit to Greater Palm Springs is more than a change of scenery: it’s a change of mind—for your four-legged buddy as well as for you. Your visit will be greatly enhanced by choosing a hotel where you and yours will be welcomed, pampered and attended to at every turn. Here are five that are raising the bar.  Read more.

Dogs welcome at Yountville tasting rooms

Photo by Jetsetting Fashionista.

If you’re up for a special-occasion getaway centered on food and wine and can’t leave your four-legged other behind, consider the oh-so-chic Napa Valley town of Yountville.  Read more.

Mendocino county ‘hole in one’

Photo by The Madrones.

The Madrones, an Italian-style enclave in the Mendocino County town of Philo, is a multifaceted destination with a tasting room, five pet-friendly “guest quarters,” a wellness spa and a dog-friendly restaurant, Wickson Restaurant, specializing in wood-fired cuisine.    Read more.

Dog-passionate places to rest heads and paws

Photo by @murphchristine

You know that you and your four-legged companion have arrived at the right lodging place when you’re greeted with treats at the desk and the room comes with dog bed, bowls and other pet-pampering amenities. There’s no shortage of dog passionate hotels on the Mendo coast. Here are a few of our favorites.    Read more.

Amador county

Follow Highway 49 south through Amador County for yet another take on Gold Country. You’ll find lodging at historic, dog-friendly establishments like Hanford House in Sutter Creek, the Imperial Hotel in Amador City and the St. George Hotel in the historic hamlet of Volcano, as well as contemporary Days Inn and Best Western properties. You’ll want to make a weekend of it, as the No. 1 a  Read more.

Summer fun with your pup in folsom

Folsom Lake. Photo by Simon Hurry.

History, a vibrant dining scene and outdoor recreation options galore beckon in this gateway to California Gold Country.  Read more.

Dog-friendly Lake County adventures

Clear Lake, that big puddle of blue in the middle of Lake County, is a popular vacation destination for families, but it’s hardly the only body of water in the vicinity. Blue Lakes (Upper and Lower), just five miles away, are a pair of clear, spring-fed bodies of water ideal for swimming and fishing. Only human-powered craft or those with or electric motors are allowed (speed limit is 5 mph)  Read more.

Lake County dog-friendly waterfront getaways

If being on or near the water is a priority on your Lake County vacation, you’ll find options aplenty among the many family-owned and operated cabin resorts situated along the Clear Lake and Blue Lakes shores. Blue Fish Cove Resort on Clear Lake, for example, has pet-friendly cabins with lake views, full kitchens and private BBQ grills, along with amenities including a boat launch, fishing p  Read more.

Hike, splash, camp at Tuolumne County lakes

Tuolumne County is largely rural, with more places to hike, fish, camp and go boating with your dog than you can shake a stick at. Its scenic lakes are tucked into dramatic mountain canyons and bowls that add to the getting-away-from-it-all experience. Here’s a look at some prominent bodies of water where you and your pup can splash, hike and play.  Read more.

For a personal touch, go for the b&b experience

Sure, you can be traditional and stay at a dog-friendly hotel or motel during your Tuolumne County getaway, but the choices don’t stop there. Bed-and-breakfast inns, Airbnbs and traditional vacation rentals offer options with a more personal touch. Here are some DogTrekker favorites.  Read more.

Into the Tuolumne County high country

The Gold Rush-era prospectors who swarmed the Sierra Nevada foothills in the 1850s made an indelible mark on Tuolumne County, dotting the map with a string of settlements—Sonora, Columbia, Jamestown, Twain Harte, Groveland—that still have a boomtown feel, as well as a relaxed attitude toward dogs.  Read more.

Tuolumne County’s ‘don’t miss’ family attractions

If you’re traveling in Gold Country with family this summer, put Columbia State Historic Park on your “must visit” list. It’s a place where lasting memories are made. On weekends, you’ll encounter rumbling (and dog-friendly) stagecoaches, itinerant musicians, bonneted ladies in sweeping skirts, and swaggering, black-hatted characters who could go mano a mano  Read more.

Be tempted by Tenaya

Photo by Tenaya at Yosemite.

Just outside Yosemite National Park’s  south (Wawona) entrance, the 302-room, Four-Diamond Tenaya Lodge awaits DogTrekking families with some very tempting kibble. Sunset magazine named it Best Resort for Pets in 2015 and Best Resort for Families in 2016, and no wonder: A destination within a destination, it offers myriad on-site and area activities aside from the national park. In summer there  Read more.

Tips for taking kids and dogs on a road trip

Headed out on a family road trip this summer? With dogs and children along, you’ll need to employ some strategy when it comes to spending a night on the road or at your destination.  Read more.

Dog-friendly campground reservation resources

• California State Parks rolled out a new reservation system, ReserveCalifornia, in August of last year, with new features still being phased in. Users who create a profile can reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the date they go online.  Read more.

The private campground advantage

If pit toilets and DIY tent camping in general aren’t your style, you may find your bliss at one of California’s hundreds of private campgrounds. They range from family-friendly KOAs (Kampgrounds of America), with their swimming pools, playgrounds, camping cabins and dog parks; to luxury “glamping” resorts like AutoCamps in Guerneville and Santa Barbara, where DogTrekkers c  Read more.

Tips and tricks for reserving a dog-friendly campsite

So you want to go camping this summer but it’s May already, and California’s coastal campgrounds, as well as those at Lake Tahoe, have been fully booked months in advance. Time for some strategy. Here are our tips:  Read more.

A few of our favorite dog-friendly campgrounds

Almost every public campground in California is dog-friendly, but that doesn’t mean your dog is welcome to hike with you, even on a leash.  Read more.

Bark early to reserve these primo camping spots

Photo by Jessica Bay.

OK, let’s face it: the early bird gets the worm—or in some cases, the campsite. Mark your calendar six months in advance and either go  Read more.

Kissing the Santa Cruz coast

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) along the Santa Cruz County coastline, and you’ll be tempted by 29 miles of beaches (15 of them dog-friendly) along the way. Only one, Mitchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free, and then only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. But no worries: there are plenty of other strands to explore provided you keep a tether stretched between you.  Read more.

Yosemite is positively pawsome for dogs

Is Yosemite dog-friendly? Every DogTrekker headed in this direction wants to know. And the answer is…“Yes!”…with caveats.  Read more.

There’s always something dog-centric going on in Oakland

Jack London Square, named for the California author who spent his boyhood on the Oakland waterfront before taking off for the Klondike (his relocated cabin is a local landmark), is Oakland’s vibrant social and historical nucleus, home to dozens of shops, restaurants, retail outlets and inviting lawns where many an event is held. It’s only fitting that a public space named for the autho  Read more.

Stay a night or three

If all that hiking, eating and drinking makes it unwise to drive home, why not put paws to pillow? The standout dog-friendly Oakland hotel, perhaps, is the Waterfront Hotel in the Jack London Square dining, shopping and entertainment district. Fittingly for a hotel with water frontage, the décor at this boutique Joie de Vivre property is nautical. It’s affordable as big-city hotels go and there  Read more.

Chow down with your Oakland chowhound

If your dog’s like ours, she doesn’t care much for sitting still for long periods of time. Fortunately, Oakland’s environment is so stimulating she won’t have to, especially if you head to a venue like Plank, a new addition in Jack London Square sporting a huge, dog-friendly beer garden with bocce court. Also on the waterfront, Brotzeit Lokal Biergarten has a dog-friendly deck and  Read more.

The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel

Love life by the beach with The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel’s new stylish oceanfront suites. The spacious suites feature a private furnished balcony overlooking the beach and ocean, and include an impressive amenities package unique to The Twin Dolphin Tower. The Huntington Beach suites in The Twin Dolphin Tower also include pet-friendly accommodations and a range of h  Read more.

Hotel Paseo, Palm Desert

This three story, 150-room addition to Marriott’s Autograph Collection opens in March just steps from El Paseo, the “Rodeo Drive” of the desert. It’s the first luxury hotel for the upscale shopping district and the first new hotel for the community in 30 years. Among amenities adding to the retro ambience at Hotel Paseo is a vintage Airstream trailer with its own “back yard.”  Read more.

The Pendry, San Diego

With 317 rooms on 12 floors, The Pendry opened in 2017 in the heart of the city’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, close to dog-friendly restaurants and breweries. An “urban coastal California aesthetic” predominates, with some rooms offering sweeping views over the bay.  Read more.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

A new addition to the Ritz-Carlton brand, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, a 358-room, oceanfront property on 78 acres north of town, enchants with its colonial revival architecture. Multiple buildings are arranged in “village” fashion around a courtyard, and a multi-million-dollar renovation has brought upgrades all around. Dogs are welcome to join you at patio tables at The Bistro restaurant  Read more.

Kimpton the Rowan Palm Springs hotel

Miso at The Rowan Palm Springs Photo Credit: @misotheshocker Boutique is sweet, especially when it’s a Kimpton. This new, 154-room, six-story property is the first full-service hotel to be built downtown in decades. It’s part of a redevelopment project that eventually will encompass many retail and entertainment venues adjacent to the Palm Springs Art Museum.   Read more.

Noyo Harbor Inn, Fort Bragg

Photo by Noyo Harbor Inn.

Fresh from a six-year, $1.6 million renovation, the Noyo Harbor Inn, a 15-room, craftsman-style B&B, accents its more than century-old heritage with refreshed décor complimenting its historic character. Set on a bluff above the Noyo River, it offers easy access to the river, harbor, off-leash beach, walking trails and gardens.  Read more.

Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach

Just steps from the beach and the famous pier in “Surf City USA,” the 250 room Paséa Hotel & Spa, part of the prestigious Meritage Collection, features bright coastal décor, dog-friendly outdoor tables for dining and quick access to all the places you want to visit with your pooch.  Read more.

Archer Hotel, Napa

Downtown Napa is in the midst of a renaissance, and the new Archer Hotel, a 183-room boutique retreat, is part of it. The chic, five-story property themed to upscale wine-country lifestyles is within walking distance of many dog-friendly tasting rooms, restaurants and walking trails. Lounge at an outdoor table and enjoy valley views from the rooftop bar opening soon.  Read more.

Oxford Suites Sonoma County

Looking for a place to park yourselves while exploring Sonoma Wine Country? The new Oxford Suites Sonoma County, a 163-suite property in Rohnert Park, makes a great base camp. Suite configurations vary, but all include sitting areas with sleeper sofas and bathrooms with separate showers and soaking tubs. Units intended for extended stays also feature dining areas and kitchenettes.  Read more.

Sheraton Redding hotel at the Sundial Bridge

Location, location, location…The long-awaited 130-room Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge sits right next to Redding’s landmark attraction, the Sundial Bridge, a pedestrian span across the Sacramento River. Four-legged guests are welcomed with all manner of treats, from water and food bowls in the rooms to specialized crates, bedding, collars and leashes on request.  Read more.

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento

Smack downtown in the middle of the action surrounding the new Golden 1 Center (home of the Sacramento Kings), the new, 260-room Kimpton Sawyer co-anchors a developing retail and entertainment district called Downtown Commons (DoCo for short). Like every Kimpton, this one welcomes pets of all shapes, sizes and breeds at no extra charge,  Read more.

Napa Valley camping with your dog!

Lodging choices in Napa Valley run from extravagant, five-star resorts to budget motels, but for that certain brand of DogTrekker who prefers to rough it a bit, there’s another alternative: camping. Whether sleeping in a tent, an RV or a rustic shelter, you’ll enjoy the valley from a unique perspective—and have money left over for a splurge. Here are three places to check ou  Read more.

Greater Palm Springs: Gateway to the desert

If your vision of a wintertime vacation to the California desert includes purple mountains, exotic cacti, comfy resorts and dog-friendly things to do, you’ll hit the jackpot with Greater Palm Springs. The region hugging the Interstate 10 corridor cuts through five counties and encompasses not just the celeb-saturated city of Palm Springs, but the neighboring communities of Rancho Mirage, Cat  Read more.

Taking your dog to Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego

Wildflowers at Anza Borrego State Park.

As at most national parks, regulations at Joshua Tree prohibit dogs from accompanying their people on trails—but not from driving through to admire the scenery or enjoy a picnic at a site surrounded by the fuzzy, forklike agave from which the park takes its name.  Read more.

Death Valley dalliance with your dog

Photo by Carter Baran.

Think Death Valley is nothing but a parched and endless patch of wind-blown sand? You’ve been watching too many old TV shows. This Southern California national park is in reality one of the most colorful and breathtaking places on earth, and inevitably takes first-time visitors by surprise.  Read more.

Tails wag on Big Sur Coast

Big Sur. Photo by Lisha Riabinina.

Take a drive on the scenic California Coast to Big Sur, pulling over at beaches, redwood forests and fun dog-friendly stops that are sure to please both two and four-leggers.  Read more.

Take time to coast

Mendocino County is mostly rural, and its extensive patchwork of public lands encompasses everything from national forests and state parks to dog-friendly preserves administered by the Bureau of Land Management. If you and your well behaved, always-comes-when-called pup prefer to wander together without being tied by a leash, head to Stornetta Public Lands, a 1,665-acre coastal haven near Point Ar  Read more.

You can bet your Bodega on this

Something special rolls around every fall in Sonoma County: Dungeness crab season, which starts in November and continues through spring. What, you’ve never gone crabbing with your dog? Most crabs are caught from piers where canines are banned, but one place you can both enjoy stalking crustaceans is the breakwater jetty at dog-friendly (leash and license required) Doran Regional Park near B  Read more.

Redwoods, rivers, Rover and you

The redwood-hugged Russian River is the best-known stream rolling through Sonoma County, but it’s not the only one. Up north, the Gualala River, on the border with Mendocino County, enters the Pacific near the town of Gualala, which makes a peaceful, fresh-air base for a low-key getaway. Late fall through early spring is when gray whales and humpbacks migrate along the Sonoma coast, and wha  Read more.

Separation anxiety in dogs

By Chris Pitts, RVT, Broadway Animal Hospital, Eureka We all want our dog to be bonded to us, but when your dog cannot handle any time away from you, he may have separation anxiety. Your dog can manifest the stress of your absence by chewing furniture, baseboards or door frames, digging, urinating in the house, or even jumping out of windows to try to find you. There are other signs that can  Read more.

Trinity Alps Resort
dog lover’s getaway

Trinity Alps Resort  Dog Lover's Getaway September 22 – 24, 2017 $275 includes 2 nights in a cabin and all meals, from Saturday breakfast through Sunday breakfast. A benefit dinner for the Trinity County Animal Shelter will be held that Friday night, and you’re of course welcome to buy tickets and attend. Dogs are allowed everywhere … Continued  Read more.

Old-fashioned fun at Shasta Cascade cabin resorts

Back in the “olden days,” families taking a summer vacation often stayed at rustic cabin resorts situated in the mountains near scenic lakes and streams. Many of these old-style places (along with a few new ones) survive in the Shasta Cascade, and many are so popular they can only be booked in blocks of a week or more in summertime. Come September, however, reservations open up, minimu  Read more.

Rev up in Redding

Sundial Bridge. Photo by Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Redding (population about 100,000) is the Shasta Cascade region’s largest city, and it’s a great place to make base camp with your four-legged friend.  Read more.

Kimpton Hotel Palomar

Photo by Kimpton Hotel.

At Kimpton Palomar Hotel, we love furry friends as much as you do. Doberman or Daschund, Persian or Tabby, we welcome animals of all varieties — free of charge. With water bowls, pet beds and plenty of treats for good boys and girls available on request, it’s safe to say we’re among the most pet-friendly … Continued  Read more.

Big reds and good times in Amador County

Amador County, best known for its robust zinfandels and barberas, celebrates big reds with its annual Barbera Festival, an outdoor sip-and-stroll event set this year for Sept. 16 at Terra d’Oro/Montevina Winery in the foothill town of Plymouth. More than 80 wineries from all over the state will be pouring, while top restaurants will offer samples of their fare. Artists, musicians and vendors wil  Read more.

Pull up a pillow (and a dog bed) and stay the night

While the Tri-Valley region is within easy commuting distance of the Bay Area and Sacramento, after a day of hiking or touring the wine or craft beer trails, it’s always nice to stay for dinner, pull into a nearby hotel and spend the night. Tri-Valley has accommodations to fit any taste or budget and by our count, over two-dozen are dog-friendly. The Hyatt House in Pleasanton even has their   Read more.

Second stop: Highway 50, Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe

Of the two primary ways to get to Lake Tahoe from Sacramento (Interstate 80 or Highway 50), 50 is by far the more scenic.  Read more.

Calling all river dogs!

Natural beauty and colorful history converge at Mendocino’s Little River Inn, a classic Victorian establishment with 65 ocean-view rooms, a nine-hole golf course and day spa on 225 wooded acres overlooking the coast. This summer the inn is rolling out the red carpet for dog-lovers and their four-legged friends with an amenity-rich River Dog Package. It includes two nights in a pet-friendly,  Read more.

Best beds for heads and paws

More than 50 pet-friendly lodgings—something for every style and budget—are sprinkled across the Santa Cruz County landscape. They run the gamut from camping cabins to luxury inns to vacation rentals where you can spread out like at home. If you’re up for a splurge, the AAA Four-Diamond Chaminade Resort & Spa, a woodsy, 156-room boutique retreat fresh from a $7.9 million make  Read more.

Alerts and tips for a great camping season

The winter has been tough on several areas in the state and we wanted to update you on two roads often traveled by DogTrekkers, as well as provide some money-saving and possibly life-saving tips for fun and safe camping this summer. • Big Sur Alert • Yosemite Region Alert • Save on Camping with an America the Beautiful Pass • Of Leash Laws, Bears and Campground Petiquette  Read more.

Save on camping with America the Beautiful pass

There’s one thing very good about getting older: The day you turn 62, you qualify for an America the Beautiful Senior Pass, which costs just $10 for a lifetime and provides free access and half-price camping and other amenities for everyone in your vehicle at more than 2000 national recreation sites including national parks, national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau  Read more.

Of leash laws, bears and campground petiquette

California leash laws set out rules for people leaving home with their pets, and individual RV parks and campgrounds may impose additional layers of regulations. A page at Camp-California.com spells out the leash-law basics. Meanwhile, we at DogTrekker.com offer some advice to help keep tails wagging at the campsite and beyond.  Read more.

Big Sur alert

Last fall’s fires, combined with harsh winter storms, were not kind to the popular state parks along Highway 1 in the Big Sur region. Much of this scenic slice of coastline remains inaccessible due to unstable hillsides and destruction of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge (about half a mile south of Big Sur Station), which has been demolished and is being rebuilt. It won’t reopen until fall a  Read more.

Crystal blue persuasion

You’ve probably seen, en-route to Lake Tahoe on Highway 50, the left-turn lane directing traffic onto Ice House Road leading into the Crystal Basin Recreation Area. Take time to explore this winding ribbon of asphalt, and you’ll find a lifetime’s worth of camping possibilities at more than 700 sites sprinkled around five scenic reservoirs, two of which have direct hiking access i  Read more.

The lowdown on dog-friendly public lands

Dogs are welcome at 90 percent of California campgrounds—it’s the rare one indeed that doesn’t allow four-legged family members. But before you put your credit card down, you’ll want to find out where, outside of developed campsites, Bonnie and Bodie are allowed to hike and hang out.  Read more.

Mariposa County: West entrance (hwy 140)

The Highway 140 corridor through Mariposa County leads to the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park, offering plenty of dog-friendly lodging choices and recreational opportunities along its winding way.  Read more.

Hb collection: Dog-passionate hotels

Where to stay? Is it really possible to find a beautiful place near the beach for you and your pooch? In Surf City USA, absolutely. For years, many hotels in Huntington Beach have been on the leading edge of dog-friendly accommodations. Though Marilyn and I have not opted for a staycation yet, I can’t say we're not tempted. And the good news is, in most cases, we’d be staying right  Read more.

Winter splendor at Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is spectacular (and uncrowded) in winter, whether or not there’s snow on the valley floor. At Tenaya Lodge, two miles from the park’s south entrance, you and your pup will get the royal treatment with a pampered pet package that includes a night’s lodging in a dog-friendly lodge room or cottage (not available in winter), two hours of pet-sitting and an arra  Read more.

Where to nod off with Nina

While there aren’t quite as many lodging properties in the Napa Valley as there are wineries, the options, from luxury resort properties to charming B&Bs to all manner of hotels, can still overwhelm. Where to start? With your budget, of course.  Read more.

Mammoth opportunities

Three hours south of Tahoe and five hours northeast from Los Angeles, Mammoth Lakes beckons not just downhill skiers, but DogTrekkers vacationing with their best four-legged friends.  Read more.

Dog-friendly lodging for you and yours

Photo by Beachcomber Motel.

Mendocino County is big and diverse, but there’s something extra-soothing about making base camp within sight or sound of the sea. Settle into a king pet suite at the Beachcomber Motel & Spa in Fort Bragg, and both you and your four-legged loved one will enjoy direct access to the fenced, off-leash dog park right outside. Two suites have doggie doors opening onto gated outdoor kennels, and a  Read more.

The dining with dog conundrum

While most Mendocino County restaurants with outdoor dining venues allow dogs to curl up under the table with their owners, winter weather can throw that option a curve ball. In inclement weather when patios aren’t open, your pup can always wait in the car while you dine. Or—if you know in advance—you can take an unconventional route to an indoor venue.  Read more.

Climb (or drive) every mountain

Buddy and friend on Lake Shasta. Photo by Michael Brown.

On a clear day, 14,179-foot-high Mount Shasta comes into view just north of Sacramento as you make the trip up Interstate 5.  Read more.

Glamp it up with your pup in Mendocino

In Mendocino County, Mendocino Grove is the place to glamp it up with your pup in Mendocino. On 37 wooded acres between Mendocino Village and Big River, offers roomy safari tents that come fully outfitted.   Read more.

Glamp it up with your four-legged friend

Maybe you like the idea of camping but don’t own (or care to own) the requisite equipment. Enter “glamping,” a hybrid word referring to rustic-chic, outdoor-oriented lodging that doesn’t involve pitching your own tent. A new player on the scene, Inn Town Campground, just outside the Gold Country town of Nevada City, does it right with a colony of safari-style tents outfitte  Read more.

Get your Buttes in gear

Cricket and Splash boating on Sardine Lake. Photo by Jessica Bay, @littlehounddog.

The Lakes Basin Recreation Area straddles Plumas and Sierra counties about 70 miles north of Lake Tahoe. It's truly a land of lakes, with more than four dozen pools  Read more.

Swooning for wildflowers

One of the most prolific wildflower shows in California blooms in early July at Carson Pass on Highway 88, about a half-hour south of Lake Tahoe. We’re talking head-high stands of violet lupin, bright red paintbrush and Queen Anne’s lace, flanked by blankets of purple penstemon, golden mule ears, orange columbine and mountain daisies. Go midweek and go early to snag a parking spot at t  Read more.

Camping safety

By Dr. Shannon Leggieri, DVM, Claremont Veterinary Hospital, San Rafael, CA Nothing is more invigorating than hitting the open trail with your four-legged friend. Outdoor activities such as camping and hiking have numerous health benefits for both you and your dog. Before you pack up the camping gear there are some basic guidelines to keep your dog safe and make your experience positive and rewar  Read more.

Camping, sunset style

Like many of us who read Sunset, you are most likely inspired and somewhat intimidated by those oh-so-perfect homes, gardens and recipes showcased on the magazine’s glossy pages and online. Could we do that? Well, maybe some of it. But when it comes to camping, we can all (including canines that relish an extended outing) learn a thing or two from “Camp Sunset: A Modern Camper’s  Read more.

What to pack for your pup

Provisioning your pup on a camping trip isn’t so different from provisioning for any other kind of road trip (see our road-trip tips on DogTrekker.com). Protection against ticks, fleas, heartworms and parasites is a must, as is a dog first-aid kit for away-from-home emergencies. Don’t forget pickup bags and/or a lightweight trowel to bury waste (check rules at your campground).  Read more.

Top paw-tested campgrounds

We don’t claim to be personally familiar with every campground in California, but our experiences at these dog-friendly sites have been pawsitive enough to keep us coming back again and again.  Read more.

Reserving your spot in the fun

If you have your sights set on one of California’s uber-popular (and dog-friendly) coastal, national park or Lake Tahoe campgrounds, it’s probably too late to snag weekend dates for your summer getaway, as most are booked out six months in advance. Persistence and a flexible schedule sometimes win out, however. And there are tons of lovely—and less competitive—places to pit  Read more.

No tent or rv? no problem…

Don’t run out to buy a tent if you don’t know that you’ll enjoy camping and take it up as a regular pastime. Novices who don’t own a full kit of gear can still treat their gang (dog included) to a “soft camping” family adventure. Here are five suggestions for easing your way—sans tent—into America’s favorite summer pastime:  Read more.

Diesel & oliver’s seaside adventure

Diesel and Oliver's parents, Ashley and Chris P. were the lucky winners of our Nick's Cove 2015 DogCation. The whole family got to enjoy a wonderful seaside adventure along Tomales Bay.  Read more.

Dogs at Yosemite national park

Photo by Mick Haupt.

Yes, you can and should have your dog tag along on your next visit to Yosemite National Park, even though park rules restrict canine companions almost exclusively to campgrounds and paved roads and trails. There’s enough to see (and sniff) for both of you to stay engaged for least a couple of days—and this winter’s heavy precipitation brings the added advantage of budding gr  Read more.

Lots to wag about in tri-valley

For those who live in San Francisco, Sacramento and most points in between, the Tri-Valley region, with its rolling topography and semi-rural character, offers a refreshing change of venue for weekend explorers traveling with their dogs.  Read more.

Four-paw dining in Oakland

If what you like in an outing with your dog is a hip, urban vibe with lots of canine-accommodating amenities, look no farther than Oakland.  Read more.

Three dog-friendly options in South Shore

Photo by Manya Krishnaswamy.

Maybe you knew about these dog-friendly South Shore options—or maybe not. All are worth checking out next time you visit with your four-legged friend.  Read more.

Meandering Mariposa County with your dog

Highway 140 through Mariposa County leads to Yosemite National Park, but there’s so much for you and Fido to see and do along the way that you might want to start your trip a day early. Start in Mariposa, the historic county seat, with breakfast at Jantz Bakery or lunch at the delightful Deli Garden Café. For an afternoon diversion, visit Butterfly Creek Winery, which welcomes dogs in  Read more.

Yes, you can bring your dog to Yosemite

In the midst of the Civil War, a visionary President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Land Grant, setting aside the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias as a scenic wilderness for public use and preservation.  Read more.

Meandering the mendo coast with your dog

While you can drive from one end of Mendocino County to the other in a morning or afternoon (it’s 102 winding miles from Leggett to Gualala on scenic Highway 1) this intoxicating stretch of coastline is best savored at a snail’s pace. Our advice: Hang your hat (and leash) for at least a night in one of the many dog-friendly lodgings situated within sight and sound of the sea.   Read more.

Boomer’s first camping trip

Boomer exploring Cannery Row. Photo: Emily S. DogTrekker, Emily S., wrote to us about her recent experience taking her 11-year old German shorthaired pointer rescue, Boomer, on his first real camping trip. “We met up with our friends at Veteran’s Memorial Campground in Monterey. Monterey seemed like the most logical choice since most places in the area are very dog friendly. We set up the  Read more.

Camping provisions for your dog

Provisioning your pup on a camping trip isn’t so different from provisioning for any other kind of road trip (see our road-trip tips on DogTrekker.com). Protection against ticks, fleas, heartworms and parasites is a must, as is a dog first-aid kit for away-from-home emergencies. Don’t forget pickup bags and/or a lightweight trowel to bury waste (check rules at your campground).    Read more.

You call this camping? we say four paws up

Go in style. Camping doesn’t necessarily mean sleeping on the ground or getting up close and personal with dirt. These privately operated spots have tons of amenities for you and your four-legged kids. • San Francisco/Petaluma North KOA: Bring your RV or rent a dog-friendly cabin and find out why this campground, with 312 sites on 70 acres, is rated one of the best in the West. Canine  Read more.

Reserving a camping spot for Spot

So, a friend told you about a great place to camp with your dog. But how do you make reservations? Here are some places to start: Reserve America handles reservations for almost 600 federal, state, private and regional park district campgrounds in California (a dog icon designates those that are dog-friendly). Recreation.gov is an umbrella site for reservable activities on federal lands, inc  Read more.

Five woofy waterfront campgrounds

Dogs like being around water as much as people do, whether or not they’re required to be leashed. A few of our favorite places to camp and splash, from north to south...  Read more.

Top spots for soaking up mountain majesty

Rise above the summer heat at these high-elevation campgrounds.  Read more.

Gold country flower power five favorite dog-friendly hikes

Wildflower season has come early to the Sierra foothills this year, and you’ll have to act fast to enjoy the bloom before it’s gone. Here are five favorite dog-friendly wildflower hikes in Gold Country.  Read more.

Towns of slo county

Ready for a trip to town. (CC) E. Haug San Luis Obispo, home to California Polytechnic State University, is a quintessential college town nestled in a sea of hills just 10 miles from the Pacific coast. It has just about everything going for it so far as DogTrekkers are concerned, from dog-friendly hotels and restaurants to dog parks and historic sites including a Spanish mission dating to 1772 an  Read more.

Sit, stay and snore in dog-friendly San Francisco

Photo by SF Travel.

If there’s a more dog-friendly city than San Francisco when it comes to lodging, we don’t know about it. The City by the Bay boasts dozens of hotels, motels and B&Bs that welcome pets.  Read more.

Mammoth adventures

Panda playing in the Mammoth Pines. CC kpuipui99 Whether you’re coming to the Mammoth Lakes area from north or south, you’re in for hours of visual delights as you cruise Highway 395, a federally designated scenic byway skirting the snow-capped Eastern Sierra.  Read more.

Heritage house: same time, next year

Stunning ocean views from the deck at Heritage House. Photo by Heritage House.

For decades, they were not alone. Returning to the Heritage House Resort was an annual tradition for many guests until the resort closed in 2008. It reopened last year with fresh interiors, four-star service and a focus on being dog-friendly.  Read more.

Waves & woof on the Mendocino coast

©2018 California State Parks. Photo by Brian Baer.

A mere glimpse of Mendocino’s gorgeously sculpted coastline is all it takes to turn urban angst into rural revelation. The scenery is so intoxicating you can yappily spend a week along the Highway 1 corridor without venturing beyond sight or sound of the sea. Visitors on a short leash, time-wise, will find plenty to occupy themselves and their pups along the 13 miles of coastline between diminut  Read more.

Coastal cabins and cottages

Coastal cottages in Mendocino. Photo by Lee Coursey (cc).

The California coast is nothing if not moody in late fall and early winter. Calm, crystal-clear days are interspersed with blustery gray ones, so it’s best to prepare for all possibilities. DogTrekkers who prefer cabin or cottage accommodations to standard hotels and motels will find a staggering selection of dog-friendly options along the coast.  Read more.

Santa barbara dreamin’

Kayla at the top of 7 Falls Trail Almost everything in Santa Barbara, from the beautiful buildings to the beautiful people, the beautiful seashore and the beautiful dogs, qualifies as eye candy. The “American Riviera” is the kind of place where you can ditch your car, leash up your dog and wander, perhaps finding yourself admiring Spanish colonial architecture on the podcast-guided&nb  Read more.